[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Amid escalating tensions between Russia and the West over the Ukraine crisis, U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken will attend the Munich Security Conference.
According to the State Department on the 16th (local time), Secretary Blinken will visit Munich, Germany from the 17th to the 20th to attend the Munich Security Conference.
In a statement released that day, the State Department said, "Secretary Blinken will urge Russia, together with allies and partners, to de-escalate tensions surrounding the invasion of Ukraine and choose the path of diplomacy," adding, "He will also discuss preparedness to impose severe costs if Russia invades Ukraine."
Secretary Blinken plans to reaffirm the United States' support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He will also hold bilateral meetings with attending countries.
Established in 1963, the Munich Security Conference is the world's largest annual international security forum attended by heads of state and ministers from major countries. Last year, it was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The conference is expected to be attended by heads of state from 35 countries including Germany, as well as leaders of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Meanwhile, regarding the announcement the previous day that Russia had partially withdrawn troops and equipment training near the Ukrainian border, Secretary Blinken stated in an interview with MSNBC, "I have not seen any troop withdrawals."
This aligns with what U.S. President Joe Biden mentioned in his national address the day before. Secretary Blinken argued, "Russia's main forces are not moving away from the border but are rather moving toward it, and what we are seeing is exactly the opposite."
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